Are you dealing with a pest problem? Here in Virginia, we have a wider variety of pests than you might think. According to Pest World Magazine, bed bugs are confused with other pests, as 84% of U.S. pest control professionals get reports about another type of pest before identifying them as bed bugs. They're particularly common here in the Virginia Beach area. Wondering what else you might see? Wonder no more! Here's a list of the pests you can expect to run into at some point.

1. Ants

If you think you have an ant problem, you're probably right. Ants are as easy to identify as they are to contract. Unfortunately, controlling them isn't quite so simple. These social insects live in huge groups within their nests, and their nests can be made in all sorts of places. The classic ant hill in the dirt is only one such example. While you may find these guys living in your yard, in the cracks of your sidewalk, or under the garden mulch, they also make their homes behind walls, underneath slabs, or even inside your appliances. Their natural ability to nest themselves out of reach from predators is one of the reasons why you'll need professional assistance to get rid of them completely.

If you're aiming to avoid getting ants in the first place, it's best to make sure that all spills and sugary messes are cleaned immediately. Keep containers sealed and avoid open juices and sodas. We also recommend reaching out to a local landscaper to cut back any plants that may be touching the home, as these can provide a route for the ants to enter your home. While it may be difficult to identify ant-sized cracks, keep an eye out for any deterioration close to the ground. At Mares Exterminating, we can offer a two-pronged approach of slow-acting bait and granular perimeter insecticide to eliminate colonies and keep your home safe.

2. Termites

Think you might be dealing with termites? You certainly aren't the only one. Termites are notorious for causing expansive and expensive damage to properties across the country. Termites have been a plague on our homes for generations, and until recently, the only way to deal with them included powerful pesticide applications. Fortunately, we have several safer treatment options to choose from these days! Like with our ant treatments, we deal with termites by using barriers and termite-specific, slow-acting insecticides to destroy the colony without sacrificing your home.

It's worth noting, of course, that termites may not immediately present themselves as a visible swarm. They may be the cause of that droopy yellow spot in the upper corner of your walls. You may have noticed small thumbtack holes in the drywall despite not using any thumbtacks. Give your wood a knock sometime. Does it sound hollow? Many signs of termites are frighteningly easy to miss. On top of that, despite their short lifespan after exposure to the open air, these colonies have a tendency to spread quickly. Even if you find a pile of dead bugs in the middle of the floor one day, which happens occasionally with termite infestations, you can't assume your troubles are over.

If you have a termite problem, contact us to learn more about our annual termite protection program. We highly recommend regular termite extermination services as, in our experience, many home insurance plans don't cover termite damage. The best defense against termites is consistent and adequate protection.

3. Bed Bugs

One of the most unpleasant and frustrating things you can experience in your home is a bed bug infestation. These tiny pests are problematic to get rid of and cause irritation and discomfort. One of the signs that you may have bed bugs in your home is noticing dark spots on your mattress. These spots actually are made of fecal matter and blood from the bed bugs and are a telltale sign of an infestation.

Bed bugs can reproduce quickly and spread throughout your home, making them difficult to eradicate after they establish a foothold. A professional exterminator can help identify and eliminate bed bug infestations using various methods, including vacuuming, insecticides, and heat treatment. By taking swift action and being vigilant about preventing future infestations, your home can remain bed bug-free and provide everyone with a good night's sleep.

4. House Mice

As you may know, pest control concerns aren't limited to bugs. Your local exterminator almost certainly has a number of services in place to handle house mice. These creatures account for a huge percentage of extermination requests coming from homes and places of business alike, unfortunately for very unpleasant reasons. Your first signs of a mouse infestation might be chewed wires, droppings in your kitchen or pantry, a terrible smell, or worse. House mice have a way of wrecking your insulation as well as breeding quickly. If you let the population get out of hand, your property could become deeply hazardous to your health. That's the last thing we want for our homes and businesses, but it can be difficult to fight back against nature without the right resources.

When it comes to mice, it's important to keep the breadth of potential health risks in mind. Having an infestation of these animals means having contaminated food, as well as bits of droppings and urine droplets on counters and in the air, and more. Even their habit of gnawing wires presents danger by exposing you to the higher likelihood of an electrical fire in the building. In almost every way, the lifestyle of house mice presents a danger to humans.

5. Mosquitos

Speaking of health hazards, mosquitos have a bit of a reputation for carrying some unwanted diseases. While you're still not likely to contract malaria from a mosquito in Virginia, according to surveys by the City of Virginia Beach, we've had instances of the Zika virus, Eastern equine encephalitis virus, and West Nile virus which mosquitos are known carriers of. Given their size and agility, it can feel impossible to keep yourself safe from them. Let professional exterminators take care of the problem. We can apply an anti-mosquito treatment to your property and help you identify what made them appear in the first place.

If you have concerns about mosquitos on your property, or if you simply find them too annoying, Mares Exterminating would be happy to help. We offer both one-time treatments and monthly scheduled services to keep your yard clear the whole season. We also recommend avoiding overwatering your garden, emptying and cleaning your birdbaths, fountains, and pet dishes weekly, and checking the yard for standing water to keep mosquito levels down. Even tree stumps can fill with pools that mosquitos will love, so it's important to keep an eye out. If you have any questions about water concerns in your yard, our expert team would be happy to help strategize with you.

Despite their prevalence, these pests are containable with the right effort. All you need is to implement strategies and seek professional assistance before they overtake your property. If you're looking for professional assistance with your bed bug issue, contact Mares Exterminating today! We'll provide excellent exterminator services and ensure your home is pest-free and safe from infestations year-round.